T20 World Cup 2026 schedule released: India-Pakistan clash in Colombo on February 15

LAHORE: Cricket fans can officially start the countdown. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the full schedule for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming a high-voltage India vs Pakistan showdown on February 15 in Colombo.

The tournament is set to bowl off on February 7 and run until March 8, with India and Sri Lanka sharing hosting duties.

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan contest, their first meeting since the 2025 Asia Cup, will take place at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium, where atmosphere and anticipation are guaranteed to reach fever pitch.

Both teams find themselves placed in the same group alongside the United States, the Netherlands, and Namibia, setting the stage for a competitive opening phase. India will kick off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against the United States in Mumbai, followed by a match against Namibia in New Delhi on February 12.

The group stage will feature three matches per day, promising nonstop action for fans across the world. While India will play across different venues, Pakistan is set to play all of its matches in Colombo or Kandy, giving their supporters a clear travel map as they follow the team through Sri Lanka.

With the schedule now out, excitement is building as teams prepare to chase T20 cricket’s biggest prize under subcontinental lights. Who will emerge as the new victor will be decided on February 15 in Colombo.

Earlier this week, it was noted that India and Pakistan appear to have benefited from relatively favourable draws, landing in a group that features only associate teams apart from each other. The setup gives both sides a potentially smoother path to the Super Eight stage, especially compared with some of the tougher groups unveiled by the ICC.

In sharp contrast, co-hosts Sri Lanka have been dropped into what many are calling the tournament’s “group of death.” Their pool features heavyweights Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and an improving Oman. For the island nation, the road to the next round looks significantly steeper than that of their subcontinental neighbours.

FULL ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2026 GROUP MATCHES SCHEDULE